Automatically-operating motor-driven carrier



C. 0. TRACY. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING MOTOR DRIVEN CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, I919.

Patented Sept. 7, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

C. O. TRACY. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATING II'IOTOR DRIVEN CARRIER.

I APPLICATION FILED MAR. I3, I919. 7,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES CLARENCE 0. TRACY, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

AUTOMATICALLY-OPERATING MOTOR-DRIVEN CARRIER.

Application filed March 13, 1919.

T0 altar/ 10m 2'2 may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE O. TRACY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented a new and useful Automatically0perating Motor- Driven Carrier, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new automatically operating motor-driven carrier, and the objects of my invention are:

First. to provide an automatically operating electric motor-driven carrier, that is arranged to be controlled by an operator through an electric signal or an electric bell signaling system, or both.

Second, to provide an electric motordriven carrier, that is automatically reversible, to move in the opposite direction to that in which it is traveling.

Third, to provide an electric motor-driven carrier, that can be adapted to carry a large range of different kinds of merchandise, mail matter and other material from terminal stations placed at any predetermined short or long distances apart.

Fourth, to provide an automatically operating electric motor-driven carrier, that is automatically controlled by a single operator at one end of the carrying line, or, if desired, by an operator at each end of the carrying line, and

Fifth, to provide an automatically operating electric motor-driven carrier, mounted on a trolley supporting wire, operatively connected to an electric current generating source, said carrier being arranged to support a motor, which receives current from a wire supported by said motor, and which is also connected with the current generating source.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved electric motor-driven carrier.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating the manner of closing a circuit as the carrier passes a station, to indicate the whereabouts of the said carrier, and also to break the circuit and stop the carrier at any desired station.

Fig. lis a front view of one of the brackets for supporting the feed wires.

Fig. 5 is a front View of the pivoted abut- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. '7, 1920.

Serial No. 282,512.

ment for changing the position of the gear carrying arm, which connects the motor with the gearing of the carrier.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of forming the shifting lever in two sections, which are insulated one from the other.

Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the manner of locking the shifting lever in either position, and

Fig. 8 is an end view illustratin a slight modification in the arrangement of the carrier.

Similar letters of reference refer to sirnilar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

The principal views illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 embody the main features of my invention.

In these views, as well. as in the remaining figuresof the drawings, the numeral 1., designates the frame of the trolley, which preferably consists of side plates 2, positioned at predetermined distances apart by spacing sleeves 3, through which cross bolts 4, pass, that are arranged to connect the side plates, as shown. This frame may be made of sheet metal plates and cross bolts, or it may be made in the form of a casting. I mount between the sides of this frame, and at a short distance apart from eaclrother, lengthwise of the frame, two trolley wheels or sheaves 5, each of which is provided wi h a V-shaped groove, in which the track WZIG 6, bears, and on which the trolley runs, as

will be hereinafter fully explained.

This track wire is supported upon brackets 7, which are secured to suitable standards or poles 7 which may be placed at any desired distance apart from a few feet, in a store, to several hundred or several thousand feet, out of doors. For heavy material, suitably constructed supporting towers may be used, such as-when carrying ore, lumber, stone or other heavy materials, but poles or standards only are illustrated in the drawings. The sheaves are secured on shafts 8, that extend loosely through suitable bearings 9, that are formed in the side plates of the trolley frame. s and sheaves are arranged to be rotatively driven by the motor and they extend beyond one side of the trolley frame far enough to have gears 10 11, respectively, mounted on them.

A pinion 12, meshes with the gear 11, and

this pinion is rigidly mounted on a shaft13,

to the block 15, and which is secured to the top of a box or receptacle 18, whiehis preferably made of metal, to afford the requisite strength and durability.

The arms 16, are formed with shoulders 19, which bear against the outer edges of the blocks 15 and 17 respectively, and the extremities of the arms 16, are threaded and receive nuts 20, which are screwed tightly against the adjacent edges of the blocks 15 and 17, and thus prevent a swinging movement of the box 18, and parts connected therewith, with respect to the trolley frame.

The box is provided on one side and one end with hinged doors 21 and 22, respectively, which are normally held closed by spring catches 23.

Upon the bottom of this box is secured an "electric motor 2 1, of any required power,

and upon one end portion of the shaft 25, of

I this motor, is loosely mounted the lower end of an arm 26, which is made in two sections which are separated by a short space, as shown, the sections being connected. in the following manner: On each side of the opposing end portions ofthe two sections of the arm are placed strips 27, of insulating material, and upon these strips are placed metal strips 28, and these strips are tightly clamped against the arm sections by bolts .0 rivets 29, which pass through the nonconducting eyelets 30, in the armsections, this arrangement serving to insulate the arm se tions from each other, so that currents from the motor cannot pass from the lower sec tion into the upper section.

The upper end of the upper arm section is formed with a bearing hub 31, in whichis rotatably mounted a short shaft 32, on the inner end of which is rigidly secured a pinion 33, a sheave wheel 34, being rigidly secured on its outer end, which is connected by'any suitable flexible connection 35, with a similar sheave wheel 36, on the motor shaft 25, whereby the shaft 32, and its pinion 33, are rotated. The pinion 33, is rotated clockwise, and is adapted to mesh either with the gear wheel 10, or the pinion 12, according to the position of the arm 26. Thus, when the pinion 33, is in mesh with the gear 10, the carrier is driven in the direction of the arrow, F 1g. 1, and when the arm those connected with the field and armatu.

.ing of the current through the bracke" the pinion 12, the carrier is driven in the opposite direction.

The track or trolley wire 6, is connected at one end with a current source, ansecond wire 37, also connected with the current source as the track wire, is suppoixed on the brackets 7, and also upon a gro roller 38, which is mounted in a bee. bracket 39, which is secured upon an ins: ing medium 10, on the under side "t motor. The terminal wires of the motor, J

extend through the motor casing in the usual manner, and one of these wires 11, is clcctrically connected with the bracket 39, while the other terminal wire 42, is electrically connected with one of the side plates of the trolley. The current from the current source passes from wire 37, through bracket 39, and wire ac, to the motor, thence through wire 42, to the trolley frame, and track wheels 5, and thence through track wire 6, to the current source, thus forming a circuit through the motor by which the sam operated, and the pinion operated in the manner previously described.

The system comprises an operating station, a terminal station, and as many intermediate stations as may be required, and the arm 26, is reversed, at the terminal station, to cause the pinion 3.3 to disconnect from the gr wheel '10, and swing into mesh with the pinion wheel 12, and this reversing movement is accomplished in the following man nor: The brackets which support the wires 6 and 37, are of the form shown most cle v in Fig. 2, comprising an upright pc on which is secured to the pole, having a herb zontal projection 43, adjacent its uppe. an, to which the tra ck wire 6, is secured. an minating at its lower end in a semi-circ bend 14-, in which is supoorted the h. feed. wire 37, this curved portion having facing 4-5, of insulating material, upon wlnrn the wire 37, rests, and which PIGYQlliS shunt- V j and into'the pole. The last bracket ct the series, .or the bracket at the terminus of the line, is provided with a standard 16, which is bo ed to the lower end of the bracket, as clear shown in Figs. 2 and a; To the upper end of this standard is pivotally secured an abutment 47, of the form shown in Fig.

and comprising a hub, from which depend is swung to cause the pinion 3:3, to engage 'hold'the same in vertical position, and to restore it to a vertical position when it has been turned to one side, in amanner to be presently described.

T he U'Ollfij reversing 2o, has to hor zontally projecting t; ppet et, which adapted to strike the abutment linger when the carrier arrives at the terminus the line, and as the finger is erru'ig'ed swing; in e count-or direction preaching carrier, it receives the from the tappet, which causes the abutn to swing on rs pn'o and thus permit the tenpet to the linger. The degree of per weight.

this means the nhitnient can he ar ranged to offer the resistznoe necessary to throw the love arm 26, and bring the pin- 4 ion in mesh with the pinion 12, thus reversiLg the direction of movement of the carrier.

The arm 26, is locked in either position, in the following inannrz A guard 55, in the jiiorn'roi a metal strip, shaped as shown in lg. 7, is secured at each end to the outer ulgge oil the non-conducting block 17, so as .gninst the arm tlyend the arm has k SJIllSZ secured thereto, whit I F I it a 11 against the block 17, and thus holds the o 0 w. w t} a .121 rc, in ongcgcincn with is inner c guard This of the guard has two c rcular noiections 57, and the or n is r-o 11 a depression 58,

ptcfl to r 7 Thus, when arm is Cwung' to the limit of its movein either direction. it slides over the sdfacent in-ejection, until the said projecthe oroj ections.

non enters the depression in the arm, when l w 1 I t 1e aim is iorced out against the inner face of the 5511:; rd and held upon the projection, which acts to lock the arm in this 1 osition 'l it is 4 reversed, as will be ind r eence to Fig. 7. When the c 1 i the linger and "erorse too at 26, the said teppet swings the abutinei t on its piv t and prsses tl e ti 1', es

w previously described, the current the motor having: been previously cut oft, as will he Presently described The carrier is now at z standstill/z id it itents may be reand other inenriendise he placed in carrier n ay or c manner 1 the linger w ill swing toppet in pass,

arm. I

The roller which curries the feed wire 3?. may be secured on one side the motor I 1, w 1 I 9 s shown in Big. o, and, tnus arrzurzed, toe end of the hreclzet 'Z, may he d1spensed with, which permits hook 559, to be without again reversing the secured the motor, upon which may he not hune any erticle adapted to be carried *zet '7 is pro tr e 01 end r side oi the so 3 reaches bracket, it

t, u t e will gradrally cease swing and 3215s the bracket 1n non-swinging oi tical position, which prevents its striking the bracket [the consequent injury to the bmclret and it the successful one 'ation of the iinprrin'ed. can 101', especially on long lines on which .L' I,

there are so 'e intermediate stations, it essential that too m xers-ting; station he proviced with a signaling system, by whi :h an t ndent may be notified of the arrival 0t 1e carrier at the various stations id at the -rrninus, and thus keep in touch with the no way of deternnnin whether 1:: carrier was moving lbrwero, or whether come to a stop from any unetnown I. r o

desired stat arrrer i k tions, i" necessary.

in zlfifl'illlplllillln if electrically operate 1 will now proceed The operating; stir" switchhoard (31, h;

r switch low? e switch ()3 conied wire 3?, cross arms 64,

n :1 the poles a at tne stations,

H. 1 e, i V are no, L ,1 Resta ts or, no dlnl o4, rcsnect ions borne; shown),

wires Gil end l the he:

taps the V iS secur d [O by the carrier. In addition to the lamps, a bell 74, is arranged in the lamp circuit, the bell being connected to a transformer 75, one terminal of which connects with the wire 87, while the other terminal connects with lamp circuit wires. Thus, whena circuit is closed through any one of the lamps, the circuit through the bell is also closed, and the bell rings, thereby notifying the attendant, by both the lamp and bell, that the car rier has passed the station indicated.

In addition to the above described signaling system, I provide means for breaking the circuit through the motor, at any desired station, so that the carrier may be stopped and the fact indicated at the operating station.

To accomplish this, I connect to the lamp wires 68,69 and 70, wheel), E and F, respectively, and the opposite ends of the wires are provided with contacts X, Y and Z, respectively, as shown. A. switch 7 6, is arranged to engage any one of the contacts X, Y or Z, and this switch is connected by a wire 77, with one pole of a battery 78, the other pole of which is connected by a wire 79, with one of the terminal wires or a magnet, the other terminal wire of which is connected by a wire 80, with the feed wire 6. An armature 81, is operatively positioned with respect to the magnet, and this armature is provided with circuit closers 82, and 83, on opposite sides of the same, the closer 82, being insulated from the armature, and being adapted to make or break a circuit through the wire 87, which for this purpose hasa gap opposite the closer 82, the adjacent ends of the wire being provided with contacts 84, which are normally engaged by the closer 82, thereby permitting current to pass through the said wire. The closer 83, on the armature stands opposite and adjacent to a pair of contacts 85, one of which connects by a wire 86, with the wire 79, leading from the battery to the magnet, and the other connects by a wire 87, with one of the terminals of a bell 88, the other bell terminal being connected wit-h the wire 77 which connects the batter 7 with the switch 76.

It will thus be seen that when the switch 76, is out oi engagement with any of the contacts X, Y or Z, the carrier will pass the several stations without stopping, but when the switch 76 is turned to engage any one of the contacts X, Y or Z, circuit is formed through the battery and magnet, and the armature 81, is attracted by the magnet, thereby breaking the circuit through the feed wire 87, and closing a circuit t irough the battery 78, and bell 88, as follows: In Fig. 8 the switch 76, is shown engaging the contactX, of wire D, which taps the lamp circuit wire 68, which connects with the contact 65, at the last station. \Vhen the carcuit through the battery 78 and also through the bell 88, by the engagement of the armature circuit closer 83, with the contacts 85. The breaking of the circuit through the wire 37, by the armature 81, cuts cit the current to the motor, but it is carried forward by its momentum until its tappet 54;, strikes the finger 51, of the abutment and reverses the arm 26, as previously described.

lVhen the armature 81, is attracted by the magnet, it is caught by a dog 89, and held in this position, thus preventing the closing of the circuit through the motor, but the bells continue to ring and the lamp remains on, until the tappet 54, strikes the finger 51, when the carrier contact passes off from a wire 90, which extends from the last station contact 65, and terminates above where the tappet strikes the abutment, thus breaking the circuit through the battery and the bell 7st.

The operating station is notified that the carrier is ready to be returned, in the tol lowing manner: A wire 91, is connected to the track wire-holding arm 60, which is hinged to the bracket 7, and this wire 91, connects with a contact 9st; a wire 93, connects at one end to the wire 6, and at its other end with a contac 92, adjacent the contact 94. A switch or push button 95, is arranged to engage the two contacts, and

this closes a circuit through the lamp A,

bell 74, and battery, the current passing through track wire 6 to wire 98, and contacts 92 and 94, to wire 91, thence through wire 87, and lamp wire 68, to the wire l), through switch 76, wire 77, and battery, and thence through the magnet and wire 80, to track wire 6, thus completing the circuit. hen the attendant at the operating station is notified in this manner that the carrier is ready for the return trio, he moves the switch 76, off the contactil, and lifts the dog 89, which permits the armature 81, to assume its normal position, thereby closing the circuit throughthe feed wire 37, and the arm 26, having been reversed as previously described, the carrier returns to the operating station, signaling for each intermediate station as it passes.

A lamp 96, is mounted on one of the arms 16, of the carrier, and one of its terminals is connected by a wire 97, with the trolley frame, and its other terminal is connected by a wire 93, with one polof a t"fll10l1 99, secured on the carrier box 18, and the other pole of the switch connected by a wire 100, with the bracket 89, of the feed wire, supporting wheel 38. The switch 99, is adapted to out the lamp 96, out of the circuit during the day, and to close a circuit through the said lamp after dark. The signaling wires 68, 69 and 70, are supported in rings 101, for ied in the upper ends of the bracket '7.

Having described my invention, what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electrically operated carrier of the character describec, the combination with current feed wires, one it which is a track wire, of a trolley on the track wire whose w reel shafts have gearwheels thereon, a pinion in mesh with one of said gear wheels, a parcel carrier and a motor suspenc ed from said trolley, a bracket secured to, but insulated from said motor, having a sheave wheel for supporting the other teed wire, the motor terminals being connected, respectively, with the trolley and with the sheave wheel bracket, an arm loosely mounted at one end on the motor shaft, and having a spindle rotatably mounted in its opposite end, a gear rigidly mounted on one end of the spindle and adapted to mesh with one of the trolley shaft gear wheels, or with the pinion which meshes with the other gear wheel, a wheel on the other end of the spindle, a wheel on the motor shaft, and an endless flexible connection connecting the two wheels, means for automatically shifting the arm to throw the pinion out of gear with one wheel and into gear with the other wheel, and means for holding the arm in either position.

2. In an electrically operated carrier oi the character described, the combination with current feed wires, one of which is a track wire, of a trolley on the track wire, a parcel carrier and a motor suspended from said trolley, a brack t secured to, but insulated from the motor having a sheave wheel for supporting the other feed wire, the motor terminals being connected respectively with the said bracket and with the trolley, gear wheels on the trolley wheel shafts, a pinion in mesh with one of the gear wheels, an arm loosely mounted at one end on the motor shaft, a spindle loosely mounted in the other end of the arm having a pinion on one end adapted to mesh with one of the gears on the trolley wheel shafts, or with the pinion in mesh with the other gear, a belt wheel on the other end of the spindle, a belt wheel in the motor shaft, and a belt connecting said wheels, an abutment at one end of the line with which the said arm engages to shift the same, and disconnect its pinion from one gear, and connect it with the other gear, and catches for holdin arm in either position, said arm k formed in two sections, which are insulated from each other.

3. in an electrically ope 'ated carrier of the characte' described, the combination with a trolley having gears on its wheel shafts, a pinion in mesh with one of said gears, a parcel carrier supported by the trolley, a motor supported on the parcel carrier, and feed wires in circuit with said motor, one of which supports said trolley, of an arm loosely mounted on the motor shaft having a pinion on its upper end adapted to mesh with one of the trolley shaft gears, or the pinion which meshes with the other gear, a guard secured to the carrier and adapted to bear against and confine the arm, said arm having depression, projections on said guard, said depression being adapted to receive one or the other of said projections and thus hold the arm in either of two positions, a spring for holding said arm in contact with said guard, and an abutment at the end 01 the trolley line which is engaged by said arm, whereby the arm is shifted.

at. in an electrically operated carrier of the character described, the combination with a series of poles, brackets secured thereon, and current feed wires supported on said brackets, one of which is a track wire, of a trolley on said track rire having a parcel carrier and a motor attacl'led thereto, said motor being in circuit with said teed wires, operating gears on the trolley, a pinion in mesh with one of said gears, an arm loosely mounted on the motor shaft, and a pinion on said arm, driven by said motor, and adapted to engage one oi the trolley sha'tt gears, or the pinion which meshes with the other gear, a pivoted abutment on the last bracket of the series for engaging and shifting the position of said arm, and means for varying the resistance oilered by said abutment.

5. In an electrically operated carrier of the character described, the combination with a series of poles having brackets thereon, and current teed wires supported on said brackets, one of which is a track wire, of a trolley on said track wire having a parcel carrier and a, motor attached t oa f go: he.

hereto. said motor being in operative circuit with the feed wires, operating gears on the trolley, a gear in mesh with one oi said operating gears, an arm loosely mounted on the motor shaft, a pinion on said arm driven by said motor and adapted to mesh with the latter gear or with the other trolley operating gear, a tappet on the said arm, a pivo ally mounted abutment on a fixed support at he end of the trolley line, for engaging said tappet, to move the arm to reverse positior said abutment comprising a hub, a tappet engaging linger projecting therefrom, and depending legs, and adjustable weights on said legs.

6. In an electrically operated carrier of the character described, the combination with a trolley line Comprising a series of poles having brackets the "eon, current feed wires on said brackets, one of which is a track wire, a carrier and a motor supported by the trolley, said motor being in operative circuit with the feed wires, operating gears 011 said trolley, a gear in mesh with one of said operating gears, a swinging member having a pinion thereon, driven by the motor, for engaging the latter gear or the other operating gear, a fixed member at one end of the line, a pivoted abutment on said fixed member, comprising a hub, a finger projecting therefrom and hinged to swing in a counte direction to the approaching trolley, a spring for normally maintaining the linger in a vertical position, legs depending from the hub, and weights adjustably mounted on said legs, said abutment being adapted to engage the swinging member and shift the same, to disengage its pinion from one trolley operating gear, and engage the gear in mesh with the other operating gear.

In testimony whereof I afiix my in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE o. TRACY;

signature lVitnesses G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, FLORENCE J. ALLEN. 

